Claude Spears
Claude Spears

Few public events make the world of aviation as visible as an air show. For a few hours, an airfield becomes a stage for fighter jets and vintage warbirds, watched by families who would never have had a chance to enter a control tower. Beyond the spectacle, air shows can make aviation careers feel real at a time when the industry faces shortages of pilots, mechanics, and technicians. But unfortunately, many of the events that once did this work are quietly disappearing.

For Claude Spears, founder of AirShows.com, the real air show begins long before the first takeoff. Spears is a specialist air show announcer and sound professional. He has seen firsthand how much coordination goes into bringing performers, aircraft, and audiences together. According to him, putting on a successful show involves far more than booking a lineup.

"Most people assume staging an air show means booking aircraft and performers. The reality is far more complicated," says Spears. "The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds perform just at 12 to 15 different locations a year, but it can take 2.5 years to book. Civilian performers may be booked a month ahead, but every show still needs restricted airspace."

Organizers must request restricted airspace from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at least 56 days in advance and secure airport and, often, local government approval. They must also coordinate with airlines to schedule performances around commercial flights. Safety waivers require advance approval, too. "If you didn't ask for something to be waived and you want to do it, they're going to say no," Spears says.

Spears's own specialty, sound, has its own special set of requirements. Announcements must carry across large outdoor crowds despite wind and weather, as outlined in this U.S. Air Force air show sound-system specification. These demands make air shows harder to organize than many people realize. Yet their value extends well beyond the spectacle, particularly in inspiring young people to pursue aviation careers.

Spears's most vivid example is U.S. Air Force Maj. Sam "RaZZ" Larson. "Growing up in Davenport, Iowa, Larson attended shows as a small child, dressed in a Blue Angels outfit and carried around by his father. Today he is an F-22 demonstration pilot," says Spears. He sees this pattern as very common. "Every Blue Angel, every Thunderbird I've ever met got involved when they were little, eight- to ten-year-old kids," says Spears.

Air shows can also act as catalysts for careers beyond the cockpit. Many jobs on military bases are civilian, covering maintenance, technical work, transportation, and logistics. "Air shows help people see the career opportunities available in aviation," Spears notes. "You can actually see where you'd be working when you're at an air show."

The benefits reach the wider community too. Airports with good runways attract business. "You're much more likely to bring businesses in than if the closest airport is two hours away," Spears says.

The biggest hurdle facing air shows, though, is money, according to Spears. "Organizers must cover performers, hotels, insurance, and hangars before ticket sales, while bad weather can wipe out revenue. For example, a Blue Angels visit may require a lot of personnel and support infrastructure," says Spears. Military deployments may also leave bases without enough staff to manage security and crowds.

After 30 years in the industry, Spears has seen more shows disappear than emerge. "We get one or two new ones in several Midwest towns that no longer host events," he says. "Sponsorships can help offset operating costs. Flight schools may waive hangar fees, hotels may offer discounted rates, and companies can sponsor hospitality tents."

To sustain the world of air shows that inspire the young and hold an entire economy around it may require active community participation and initiatives. Local shows featuring civilian aerobatic performers and historic aircraft can attract crowds without the cost of major military teams. Spears recommends 60–90-minute programmes with varied acts, music and strong announcing.

Partnerships between airports, local authorities, aviation businesses, hotels and sponsors may also help cover the costs needed to sustain air shows. Organizers can also start early to secure funding and save that surplus revenue to protect against bad weather.

Claude Spears believes the industry's future depends on making air shows easier to organize and financially sustainable. He believes communities must protect existing events and encourage new ones. Air shows can offer much more than just entertainment. They can introduce young people to aviation careers and show communities the value of their local airports.